Aaliyah Posthumous Album Cover Art Revealed on Twitter

Since the announcement that a posthumous Aaliyah album was in the works, the project has been mired in controversy. Recently, the late songbird’s label, Blackground Records, went on Twitter and posted the cover art of the album, which has everyone in a tizzy.

The artwork features what appears to be Aaliyah floating in the ocean with her face superimposed in the symbol of the letter “A.” It’s a haunting cover to say the least considering that Aaliyah died in an airplane crash near the shores of the Bahamas. But maybe we are reading too much into the artwork.

Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah’s uncle and CEO of Blackground Records, posted the cover art and a confirmation that the album is forthcoming. “Aaliyah 16 unreleased tracks 2013 stay tuned ” Enough said ” #TeamAaliyah,” he tweeted.

As you may already know, Drake, who is an obsessive Aaliyah fan, and Grammy-winning producer Noah “40″ Shebib are overseeing the project, which is due out in 2013. Hopefully, the album will arrive in stores on or around Jan. 16, which would have been Aaliyah’s 34th birthday.

The downside to the album is that Aaliyah’s closest friends Timbaland and Missy Elliott are notparticipating in the project. “Although Missy and Timbaland always strive to keep the memory of their close friend alive, we have not been contacted about the project nor are there any plans at this time to participate,” said their manager Mono Scott-Young. “We’ve seen the reports surfacing that they have been confirmed to participate but that is not the case.”

Meanwhile, it looks as if Mr. Hankerson is catching some criticism for the cover art on his timeline. He wrote, “Twitter provides a block feature and I shall utilize it. Peace and positivity is the key to life.” He then added, “Be #Positive the music is coming.”

What do you think of the cover art for the posthumous Aaliyah album? Tell us in the comments below.